Europe is continuing its in-depth work to limit electronic waste. After the devices themselves, it’s the turn of chargers to adopt USB-C! Published on November 24 in the Official Journal of the EU, the regulation requires that a large part of the external power supplies used on a daily basis (internet boxes, routers, repeaters, small screens, consoles operating with a transformer) are now equipped with a USB-C port by 2028.
USB-C for everyone
According to the European Commission, this measure should reduce the share of power supplies without USB-C from 50% to 15% in the Union. The objective is noble: to simplify consumers’ lives, reduce incompatibilities and declutter electronic product landfills. The definition retained in the European text is broad. Power supplies must be “ equipped with at least one USB Type-C or USB-PD (Power Delivery) port “. The use of this port must, moreover, remain independent of other power outputs.
This concerns external power supplies consuming up to 120 W, in particular: boxes and modems provided by operators, Wi-Fi repeaters, transformer-powered screens, small “leisure consoles”, wireless chargers and battery chargers. Manufacturers must clearly specify the maximum output power of each USB-C port, indicated on the device itself with a minimum readability imposed: “ the font size (…) must not be less than 2.56 mm “. It’s very precise! The regulation also introduces a mandatory logo for interoperable chargers, so that consumers immediately know what they are dealing with.
As is often the case in European texts, the rule is accompanied by a long series of exceptions. The EU notably excludes equipment used in bathrooms or by children: electric toothbrushes, as well as certain toys or charging stations for toys. The text specifies that products designed “ to be powered in a humid environment » with a protection level of IPX3 or higher.
DIY tools and gardening accessories also escape the obligation when they operate with removable or integrated batteries exceeding 7.2 volts. The same goes for devices whose instantaneous power demand exceeds 130% of the rated power, if they cannot be powered by USB-PD under these conditions.
Another subtlety: manufacturers are not obliged to equip their devices themselves with a USB-C socket. In theory, some could thus circumvent the spirit of the text by providing a charger with dual output: a USB-C socket to comply with the regulations, and a proprietary connector for the device. It remains to be seen how many will choose this path, at the risk of complicating the user experience.
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